Lightening The Load

Sometimes life is just downright hard.

I was planning to post throughout this past week about rehearsals for a show I am in and Vacation Bible School at my church, and I will probably reflect on those later, but something more important came up.  One of my friends ended up having a death in the family.  I don't feel that elaborating on details will do any good, but let's just say that the situation took a toll on our whole friend group as we were mourning for her and with her.  It led me to think about just how much of a difference people can make.  Here's what I know: Nothing, absolutely nothing, that anyone can say or do will change or make the situation better.  However, here is what I also know:  You have to be there for people anyway, as day by day they get better.

Let's say you are carrying a large plank of wood.  It is much to large for you to carry on your own, too heavy for you to lift.  All it takes is a few people to come and lift it for it to not be so difficult.  The plank is still too large to carry; the load is not any lesser.  But there is help.  Lightening the load literally takes:
1.  Prayer.  Above anything, pray for people because God can do infinitely more to help people than we ever could.  Nothing we can do will truly help the situation, but He most certainly can.
2. Love.  Tell them that you love them, but also show them.  People love in different ways.  You know what works.  Maybe it's going to fun events with them.  Maybe it's supporting them in what they do.  Maybe it is going out to eat.  Maybe it is simply having a conversation.  Whatever it is, it is important to show them that you care, simply by being there.

This week has been hard, and I know that the coming weeks will be too, but we are trying to lighten the load for our sweet friend.  While we love on earth, we know that our prayers are being heard and that things are happening up in heaven.  God is working through this pain.

Romans 8:18 "The pain that you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming."

There is always hope.